Over the years, Sauber has become a prominent figure in Formula 1, tracing its roots back to world sportscar racing. Peter Sauber, the mastermind behind the team, played a critical role in nurturing talents like Michael Schumacher and Heinz-Harald Frentzen, both of whom later became F1 stars. In 1993, Sauber made the leap into Formula 1, bringing his expertise and passion to the sport.
Since its entry into F1, the Sauber team has solidified its place as a regular fixture on the grid. The team’s reputation grew as they consistently developed competitive cars and helped shape the careers of emerging drivers. Under the brief ownership of BMW, Sauber even managed to achieve race victories, further establishing their legacy in motorsport.
In recent years, Sauber raced under the Alfa Romeo banner, but in 2026, they will enter a new era as the works team for Audi. Before that, in 2024, a new title sponsor will bring a fresh identity to this legendary Swiss outfit, signaling yet another chapter in the team’s illustrious history.
2023: The Final Season as Alfa Romeo
The 2023 season marked the end of Sauber’s time under the Alfa Romeo name, but it was a year of disappointment. The team finished ninth in the constructors’ standings, struggling to compete at the level they had hoped. Their best results came from Valtteri Bottas, who secured P8 finishes in Bahrain and Qatar. Despite their efforts, the season fell short of expectations, setting the stage for a major transformation in the years ahead.
2022: A Step Forward
The 2022 season saw Sauber climb three places in the standings. Valtteri Bottas embraced his role as the team leader, while rookie Zhou Guanyu impressed with his performances, solidifying his place in the lineup. The team’s hard work paid off as they captured headlines later in the year with the announcement that they would become Audi’s official works team starting in 2026. This revelation marked the beginning of a new era for the team, as they prepared for a significant shift in their operations and identity.
2021: A Farewell to a Legend
In 2021, Sauber dropped to ninth in the standings, falling behind Williams. Ten of their 13 points were scored by Kimi Raikkonen, a former world champion, who bid farewell to Formula 1 at the end of the season. The departure of Raikkonen marked the end of an era for both the driver and the team. As Sauber looked ahead to 2022, they prepared a new lineup featuring former Mercedes driver Valtteri Bottas and Chinese newcomer Zhou Guanyu, signaling a fresh start for the team.
2020: Mixed Results and Challenges
The 2020 season was another year of mixed results for Sauber. Both cars managed to score points at their home race in Imola, and both drivers reached Q3 in Turkey. However, despite these highlights, the team finished in P8 overall in the constructors’ standings. Kimi Raikkonen and Antonio Giovinazzi contributed a modest total of eight points, a reflection of the challenges the team faced throughout the season.
2019: Frustrations and Consistency
In 2019, progress was slower for Sauber as the C38 car struggled with consistency. Even with the experienced Kimi Raikkonen behind the wheel, the team found it difficult to maintain momentum. Nevertheless, Sauber held on to P8 in the constructors’ standings. A significant portion of their points—22 out of 57—came from the season’s penultimate round in Brazil, a race marked by its unpredictability and excitement.
As Sauber looks to the future, the team’s legacy in Formula 1 remains strong. With the impending partnership with Audi, 2026 promises to be a transformative year. However, the foundations laid over the past decades continue to shape Sauber’s identity, both as a competitive force on the track and as a key player in the development of young driving talent